Deputy PM orders urgent action against child abuse

The order comes following media exposure of several cases of child abuse that have sparked public outrage across the nation.

In the newly issued document, Deputy PM Dam assigns the Ministry Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to take the lead and work with relevant ministries, sectors and agencies to propose measures and implement them.

The Ministry of Education and Training will be responsible for equipping students with skills and measures to improve their capacity to identify and avoid sexual harassment.

Public outcry over the recently reported increase in child sexual abuse cases has prompted authorities to enforce children’s rights and scrutinise the implementation of international conventions that the nation has signed to ensure the protection of children’s rights in particular and human rights in general.

Two months ago, a mother in Hanoi filed a complaint with Thinh Liet ward’s police in Hoang Mai District about her eight-year-old daughter being sexually abused by Cao Manh Hung, who lived in a rented house nearby. Last week, the police arrested Hung for further investigation into the alleged child molestation.

A seven-year-old girl in Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City, was abused at school and seriously injured on February 14 this year. The child said she was attacked by a man in her school, which is located in the same district.

A year ago, a mother in southern Ba Ria–Vung Tau Province reported to the police that her daughter and seven other children in her apartment building were abused by an elderly man living nearby.

In several cases, authorities initially declined to take follow-up action, citing lack of evidence, or sat on the petition without giving reasons for their inaction.